HAMILTON have received a massive double boost after midfield duo Darian MacKinnon and Dougie Imrie both agreed new deals.

MacKinnon, 30, has penned a one-year extension that ties him to the club until the end of next season with Imrie, 32, signing up for another two years until 2018.

Accies boss Martin Canning welcomed the re-signings ahead of Saturday’s tricky trip to Galabank to face League Two Annan in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

And he said: “It’s pleasing and positive news for the club. Dougie’s attitude is great, he works harder than anybody in terms of the miles he’ll cover about the pitch.

“He’s still as fit as ever while he’s also doing his coaching with the 17s.That’s testament to how hard he’s worked, how well he’s done and he deserves this deal.

“I’ve said to Dougie and Darian they have to keep on doing what they have to get these rewards.

“They can’t just sit and think: ‘That’s me sorted’. If they maintain their performances then they’ll be big assets for the club.

“In terms of players coming in, we’ve got a strong group of boys and I’ll only bring someone in if I think they can improve us.

“Numbers wise we’re fine. If we find a person to improve quality then I’ll look to sign him.”

MacKinnon – who scored in last weekend’s 3-3 draw against Motherwell – said: “I’m delighted my future is sorted and the deal is done. I’m happy to get it over the line and I just want to concentrate on my football now.

“I didn’t want to leave Hamilton and I was worried I might have to go somewhere else. It is a good club and I am really settled. There is a real togetherness here.”

poll loading

Will Accies finish in the top six?

0+ VOTES SO FAR

Meanwhile, Canning admits the Inverness success story last season shows a so-called provincial club can win the Cup .

Premiership survival is their priority – having won just once in their last 12 league games – but Accies can still dare to dream.

Canning said: “When you look at the Inverness story, if you get a bit of luck, a bit of the rub of the green – and you’ve got the quality – it can happen for you.

“You have to believe that. It would be a massive achievement for the club but that’s a long way off. The league is bread and butter. The Cup’s a side distraction. But yes, we’d love a Cup run.

“It will be a hard game for us down there. Annan are doing well in the league and we’ll need to make sure we approach it properly. If we do that I’d hope we’d have enough on the park to get through.

“The beauty of the Cup is it’s all about the minnows and chances to knock bigger teams out.

“We know the Annan boys will fancy their chances. They’ll go out to win and we’ll do the same. I’m hoping our attitude will be correct and our quality can make the difference.”

But Canning revealed even sentiment isn’t likely to lead to him donning his boots for the tie .

He added: “Annan is the only ground I haven’t played in but that won’t be changing because I haven’t done enough training.